BILL NUMBER: AB 995	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Wright

                        FEBRUARY 25, 1999

   An act to add Section 330.5 to the Public Utilities Code, relating
to public utilities.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 995, as introduced, R. Wright.  Electric restructuring:
transmission grid.
   The Public Utilities Act provides for the restructuring of the
electrical industry in this state, including provisions with regard
to the reliability and operation of the transmission grid.
   This bill would state that it is the policy of this state that, to
ensure the continued efficient use and reliable operation of the
transmission grid and of any upgrades, enhancements, or additions to
the transmission grid, transmission planning, siting, and permitting
be conducted in a manner consistent with specified existing law, and
that publicly owned utility transmission owners and investor-owned
utility transmission owners continue to plan, design, and construct
transmission facilities so as to provide open, nondiscriminatory,
comparable access to transmission services.
   The bill would require the Independent System Operator to
coordinate with transmission owners to implement those policies,
consistent with specified provisions of existing law.
   Vote:  majority.  Appropriation:  no.  Fiscal committee:  yes.
State-mandated local program:  no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  Section 330.5 is added to the Public Utilities Code, to
read:
   330.5.  (a) It is the policy of this state to ensure the continued
efficient use and reliable operation of the transmission grid and of
any upgrades, enhancements, or additions to the transmission grid,
that transmission planning, siting, and permitting be conducted in a
manner consistent with this division.  It is also the policy of this
state that publicly owned utility transmission owners and
investor-owned utility transmission owners continue to plan, design,
and construct transmission facilities so as to provide open,
nondiscriminatory, comparable access to transmission services.
   (b) The Independent System Operator shall coordinate with
transmission owners to implement this section, consistent with
Section 345.